" Open Challenge" ~ Calgary ~ Challenge #124

Words of the Diva:  "This week's challenge is an open challenge - i only ask that you keep Calgary in your hearts this week, and any part of the Earth where people are dealing with incredible struggles and tragedy."  Please see Laura's complete web-post here.

Whilst the stark truth is that

hardship and difficulties are inevitable and inescapable,

the definitive question may be whether

we yield under their weight

 or

 use them as an opportunity to

better ourselves.  

                                                      Daisaku Ikeda
~
 

I am taking this opportunity to post a few zendalas from Erin Olson's Zendala Dare.  I have not participated in her challenge 'cuz I have been uncomfortable tangling in a zendala format.  Don't know why.  Not enough time?  Maybe.  But I recently bit the bullet and tangled my 1st zendala, using one of Erin's templates...... here. 

And  it was kinda fun!  So, this week, my mission and personal challenge was to work with  my zendalaphobia and try to shorten the depth of my learning curve. 

Mission accomplished.  (Thanks, Erin!)

Zendala Dare 56

Zendala Dare 57

Zendala Dare ?? (Don't know which one this is...)

Zendala Dare 54

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Happy tangling...

... and thank you for visiting.

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Happy Birthday, Uncle Charlie!!! 

 love you lots.....
 

" Grid (un) Locked " Challenge #122

Grids are one of my favorite tangle-strings.  While they may seem ridged and boring, they are really quite versatile and interesting when they succumb to a bit of alteration.  So, in response to this  Zentangle Newsletter, the Diva's challenge is all about grids.



ZIA 4" square -Sakura Micron black #01/0.25mm; graphite shading; stamped background w/gray ink.

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Tangle happy .........
... and thank you for visiting.

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Happy Birthday, Christopher!  Love you lots.
Happy Birthday, Susan!  Love you lots.
xoxoxo
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" Birds on a Wire " - umt - Challenge #121

The tangle that is being highlighted in this week's challenge is called 'Birds on a Wire', created by Mary Kissel, CZT.

I must have been 'on holiday' when this tangle pattern was released because it looks new to me.  And, sure enough, if you check out Mary's blog and follow her step-out, the pattern does resemble birds sitting on a wire.  (Remember the movie by that name (1990) with Goldie Hawn and Mel Gibson?)

I wasn't quite sure how to artistically use Mary's tangle in a design, and this was, indeed, a challenge for me. So, rather than having it be the main entree/center of attention, I'm using it as a side dish.

Have you been following Erin and her weekly Zendala Dare?  I have been too chicken to participate.  Why?  Mandala designs - or Zendalas, for tangling purposes, intimidate me.  Why?  Don't know.  This is my first Zendala attempt.  (template from Erin's  Zendala Dare #55.)

ZIA - Zendala Dare string -  Sakura Micron black #01/0.25mm; Zig pen platinum for light shading.

This was a fun piece to tangle. 

Kudos to Laura, Mary and Erin.

 

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Happy tangling.... and thank you for visiting.

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